EMBATTLED construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta yesterday told shareholders of Italian-Thai Development (ITD) that the much-publicised killing of a black leopard – whose remains were found at his campsite in a wildlife sanctuary in February – would not affect the company’s business and it would continue to bid for more construction projects.

During the two-hour annual general meeting of ITD shareholders at Bangkok’s Rama Garden Hotel, the company board members, including Premchai, provided updates on various projects including the Dawei Special Economic Zone project in Myanmar, mining investments abroad and the appointment of a new board later this year.

When a Thai Investors Association representative asked about the impact from the tycoon’s arrest along with three companions in the Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, Premchai said the matter would not affect the firm’s business in Thailand or any other country.

He said bidding for business contracts continued without any disruption and shareholders’ benefits were well taken care of. The atmosphere at the meeting was peaceful and no one expressed objections or asked about issues beyond the agenda.

On Tuesday, deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Rangsibhramanakul said the Criminal Case 8 office public prosecutors had decided to file an additional charge against Premchai of illegal possession of guns and ammunition which were found during the police’s subsequent search of his Bangkok home.

Previously, the regional public prosecutors office on April 4 had resolved to charge Premchai with six offences relating to his alleged poaching in Thung Yai Naresuan. They were: colluding to carry guns into public places without permission; colluding to hunt protected animals without permission; colluding to hunt wildlife animals in a wildlife sanctuary without permission; colluding to possess the remains of protected wildlife animals without permission; colluding to hide or receive wildlife remains acquired by illegal means; and colluding to collect items in national conservation forests without a permit.